KeOlaMagazine.com | March-April 2018
The school’s art program is also designed to give students an opportunity to relax and temporarily escape the stresses of academia. With cuts to school art programs, having time for art class is somewhat rare in schools today. However, the students at Kahakai Elementary School dedicate 30 minutes of every day to being free and creating something they can feel good about. “The students seem happier when they’re creating art,” said Linda. “We have several kids with difficult home lives which affect them at school. However, when they’re in the art room, they tend to forget about their stresses outside of school and are happy focusing on their art. It gives them self-confidence to create something beautiful. I really think it’s one of the best programs you could have in school.” Kahakai is also known for the beautiful murals their students created, which now adorn the outside of the building. Former Kahakai art teacher, Susan Gallery, inspired her students to join forces and create colorful murals to display to the public. “The former art teacher was wonderful. She had the students create some wonderful murals,” said Linda. “There is one outside the classroom now. The kids each created a small piece of the mural and then joined them all together to make one big mural.” Students have their art work displayed inside the school as well. “They’re very happy to see their work displayed with their names on them. They’re very proud,” said Linda. “They often bring their parents to show them their displayed work. It’s nice. It gives them a feeling of accomplishment.” There is much to be learned from the arts, and Kahakai Elementary School’s art program is a testament to the
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importance of art education at every age level. In today’s diverse and often stressful world, teaching children to recognize their own creativity and the creativity of others opens their minds to the idea that what we see in the world around us, whether it is art, marketing, or advertising, may just be someone else’s interpretation of reality. Recognizing everyone’s unique ability to create and influence creates more critical thinkers, and that is something the world always needs more of. n Photos courtesy of Linda Wantanabe For more information: kahakai.me
Recycle mural at Kahakai Elementary.